The Houthis’ rapid advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and seizure of Mokha came with direct guidance and assistance from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with Iranian sources saying Tehran instructed the Houthis to escalate attacks against Saudi Arabia and promised additional funding, weapons and senior officers, Reuters reports.

Two Iranian sources said several senior IRGC commanders traveled to Yemen to oversee operations. Military sources with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces believe Quds Force commander Abdolreza Shahlaei is directing the campaign, although Iran has publicly denied directing Houthi military operations.

Another Iranian official said the decision to seize Mokha itself was made by the Houthis, although the offensive benefits Tehran by putting additional pressure on Saudi Arabia and the United States and contributing to higher oil prices. The Houthi advance also strengthens the group’s position along the Red Sea near the strategically critical Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.

Yemen’s PLC government requested heavier Saudi air support as Houthi forces advanced, including strikes around Sanaa and against strategic targets. Riyadh instead provided weapons, intelligence and logistical assistance while limiting its airstrikes mainly to Jawf and Marib, apparently seeking to prevent an escalation that could trigger heavier Houthi drone attacks against Saudi territory.

The developments come as renewed fighting in Yemen threatens to open another increasingly dangerous front in the broader regional conflict, with the Houthis’ position along the Red Sea giving the Iran-backed group greater ability to threaten shipping and Saudi interests.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)